Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

A refrigerator is provided that may include a main body having a storage compartment in which food or other items may be stored, a main door configured to open or close the storage compartment, the main door having a storage chamber separate from the storage compartment, a sub door configured to open or close an opening of the storage chamber, a tray configured to be introduced into or withdrawn from the storage chamber, a guide configured to guide movement of the tray by being compressed when the tray is introduced into the storage chamber and released from compression when the tray is withdrawn from the storage chamber, and a basket placed on the tray, the basket having a storage space therein. The guide may cause variation in a moving speed of the tray when the tray is introduced into or withdrawn from the storage chamber.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application Nos.10-2013-0031379, filed in Korea on Mar. 25, 2013, and 10-2013-0100202,filed in Korea on Aug. 23, 2013, which are hereby incorporated byreference as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

A refrigerator is disclosed herein.

2. Background

In general, refrigerators may be classified, based on the arrangementrelationship of a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment,into top mount type refrigerators, side by side type refrigerators, andbottom freezer type refrigerators, for example. Top mount typerefrigerators are configured such that a freezing compartment is at anupper side and a refrigerating compartment is at a lower side. Side byside type refrigerators are configured such that a freezing compartmentand a refrigerating compartment are arranged next to each other at leftand right sides. Bottom freezer type refrigerators, which are configuredsuch that a refrigerating compartment is at an upper side and a freezingcompartment is at a lower side, have been very popular in recent yearsin the United States and Europe.

An ice bank in which ice is stored may be installed in a freezingcompartment in order to provide ice whenever a user so desires, and foruser convenience, a dispenser may be installed to or at a front surfaceof a refrigerator door to contribute to easy supply of ice. According toanother method of providing the user with ice, a home-bar door may beinstalled to or in a main door of the refrigerator, and an ice storagespace may be defined inside the home-bar door to realize supply of iceas the home-bar door is vertically pivotally rotated.

Technical studies to enhance user convenience are being conducted toallow the user to easily withdraw ice stored in a tray installed insidethe main door when the home-bar door is open.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the followingdrawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, andwherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a view showing a front side of a door in a state in which asub door is open;

FIG. 3 is a view showing a rear side of the door of FIG. 3;

FIG. 4 is a view showing a guide according to one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a tray is withdrawn from astorage chamber according to an embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a state in which the tray of FIG. 5 isintroduced into the storage chamber;

FIG. 7 is a view showing a guide according to another embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which a tray of FIG. 8 is withdrawnfrom a storage chamber;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a state in which the tray of FIG. 8 isintroduced into the storage chamber;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a limiter according to an embodiment;

FIG. 12 is a view showing movement of the limiter of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which a sub door of FIG. 10 isopen;

FIG. 14 is a view showing a tray according to embodiments; and

FIG. 15 is a view showing a front side of a main door in a state inwhich a sub door is open according to a further embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described in detail with reference tothe accompanying drawings. Where possible, like reference numerals havebeen used to indicate like elements, and repetitive disclosure has beenomitted.

In the drawings, shape, size, or the like of components may beexaggerated for clarity and convenience. In addition, terms particularlydefined in consideration of configurations and operations may bereplaced by other terms based on intensions of those skilled in the artor customs. The meanings of these terms may be construed based on theoverall content of this specification.

Embodiments may be applied to all refrigerators including a top mounttype refrigerator, a side by side type refrigerator, and a bottomfreezer type refrigerator, for example. For convenience of explanation,a specific type of refrigerator will be described hereinafter.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment. Adescription with reference to FIG. 1 will follow.

The refrigerator according to this embodiment may include a main body 10having a storage compartment in which food or other items may be stored,a main door 12 configured to open or close the storage compartment, anda sub door 100 rotatably installed to the main door 12.

The main door 12 may be divided into two doors 12 a and 12 b. Therespective doors 12 a and 12 b may be rotated independently of eachother, and may individually open or close respective storagecompartments defined in the main body 10. In this case, the storagecompartments to be opened or closed by the respective doors 12 a and 12b may have various combinations including a freezing compartment and arefrigerating compartment or vice versa.

The door 12 b may be provided with a dispenser 16, which may supplywater or ice to a user. In this case, the user may control whether tosupply water or ice from the dispenser 16 using, for example, a displaydevice installed to or at an outer surface of the door 12 b.

The sub door 100 may have a size smaller than an outer periphery of thedoor 12 a, such that the user may rotate the sub door 100 withoutrotation of the door 12 a.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a front side of a door in a state in which asub door is open. FIG. 3 is a view showing a rear side of the door ofFIG. 3. A description with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 will follow.

The door 12 a may have a storage chamber 18 separate from a main storagecompartment. The storage chamber 18 may be configured, such that coldair within a main storage compartment may be moved into the storagechamber 18, or may be insulated from the main storage compartment.

The storage chamber 18 may communicate with an opening 13 formed in afront surface of the door 12 a. In this case, the sub door 100 may openor close the opening 13. The opening 13 may provide a passage throughwhich the user may access the storage chamber 18. That is, the user mayaccess the storage chamber 18 through the opening 13 in an open state ofthe sub door 100.

The refrigerator according to this embodiment may further include a tray30 configured to be introduced into or withdrawn from the storagechamber 18, and a basket 120 placed on the tray 30. The tray 30 and thebasket 120 may be accommodated in the storage chamber 18 when the subdoor 100 closes the opening 13. On the other hand, the tray 30 and thebasket 120 may be withdrawn toward the user by a predetermined distancewhen the sub door 100 opens the opening 13.

The basket 120 may be configured so as to be seated on an upper surfaceof the tray 30. The user may separate the basket 120 from the tray 30 tooutwardly withdraw items stored in the basket 120. The basket 120 maystore ice, for example.

The storage chamber 18 may be provided with a first guide rail 22, andthe tray 30 may be provided with a second guide rail 32, movement ofwhich may be guided by the first guide rail 22. The first guide rail 22may horizontally extend above the second guide rail 32. Morespecifically, the first guide rail 22 may extend in a horizontaldirection to protrude inward of the storage chamber 18, and the secondguide rail 32 may extend in a horizontal direction to protrude downwardand outward from the tray 30 to so as to be located below the firstguide rail 22.

As the first guide rail 22 may downwardly push the second guide rail 32,it is possible to prevent the tray 30 from being tilted when the tray 30is moved toward the opening 13. This is because vertical movement of thetray 30 may be restricted by the first guide rail 22 via engagement ofthe first guide rail 22 and the second guide rail 32.

As exemplarily shown in FIG. 2, the sub door 100 and the tray 30 are notconnected to each other via, for example, a linkage.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a guide according to an embodiment. Adescription with reference to FIG. 4 will follow.

The guide 40 may be installed to or at a lower surface of the storagechamber 18 and serve to guide movement of the tray 30. Morespecifically, the guide 40 may be compressed when the tray 30 isintroduced into the storage chamber 18 and released from compressionwhen the tray 30 is withdrawn from the storage chamber 18, to therebyguide movement of the tray 30.

The guide 40 may be provided with a coupling piece 52 configured to becoupled to the tray 30. The coupling piece may be pole-shaped, forexample. The coupling piece 52 may be moved by two compressible springs,that is, a first compressible spring 44 and a second compressible spring46. The guide 40 may have a slot 41 configured to guide linear movementof the coupling piece 52. As such, the slot 41 may serve to limit amovement trajectory of the guide 40.

The coupling piece 52 may be restricted, in terms of a movement rangethereof, by stoppers 42 arranged at both ends of the slot 41. That is,the coupling piece 52 may be stopped upon reaching the stoppers 42.Accordingly, movement of the coupling piece 52 stops when the couplingpiece 52 comes into contact with the stoppers 42, and then the couplingpiece 52 may again be moved only in an opposite direction.

The first compressible spring 44 may be longer than the secondcompressible spring 46. When the coupling piece 52 is located at aspecific position of or in the slot 41, the coupling piece 52 maycompress only the first compressible spring 44, or may simultaneouslycompress both the first compressible spring 44 and the secondcompressible spring 46. The coupling piece 52 may be moved by less forcewhile compressing only the first compressible spring 44, but may requirea relatively greater force for movement thereof while simultaneouslycompressing both the first compressible spring 44 and the secondcompressible spring 46. Accordingly, a moving speed of the couplingpiece 52 may vary according to a position thereof in the slot 41.

The first compressible spring 44 and the second compressible spring 46may have different rigidities. This ensures that the first compressiblespring 44 and the second compressible spring 46 have differentdisplacements even if the same magnitude of force is applied thereto,which may cause variation in the moving speed of the coupling piece 52in the slot 41. In particular, the first compressible spring 44 may havea less number of turns than that of the second compressible spring 46 onthe basis of a same length thereof, so as to have different rigidities.Of course, even if the first compressible spring 44 and the secondcompressible spring 46 have the same rigidity, the first compressiblespring 44 and the second compressible spring 46 having different lengthsmay cause variation in the moving speed of the coupling piece 52.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which the tray is withdrawn from thestorage chamber according to an embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a view showinga state in which the tray of FIG. 5 is introduced into the storagechamber. A description with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6 will follow.FIGS. 5 and 6 show a region opposite to an installed region of the subdoor 100, that is, a region at a rear side of the storage chamber 18.

The coupling piece 52 of the guide 40 may be coupled to a lower surfaceof the tray 30. Thus, variation in the moving speed of the couplingpiece 52 as described above may be equal to variation in the movingspeed of the tray 30.

As exemplarily shown in FIG. 2, according to embodiments, no connectionstructure, such as a linkage, is present between the sub door 100 andthe tray 30. Thus, when the user rotates the sub door 100 to open theopening 13, the tray 30 is moved from the state as exemplarily shown inFIG. 6 to a state as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5. On the other hand, ifthe user rotates the sub door 100 to close the opening 13, the sub door100 pushes the tray 30, causing the tray 30 to be moved inward of thestorage chamber 18 from the state as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5 to thestate as exemplarily shown in FIG. 6.

In the state as exemplarily shown in FIG. 5, both the first compressiblespring 44 and the second compressible spring 46 are released fromcompression. In the state as exemplarily shown in FIG. 6, both the firstcompressible spring 44 and the second compressible spring 46 arecompressed.

As described above, as the first compressible spring 44 and the secondcompressible spring 46 have different lengths, the tray 30 has a greatermoving speed when the tray 30 compresses both the first compressiblespring 44 and the second compressible spring 46 or is moved bycompressive force from both the first compressible spring 44 and thesecond compressible spring 46 than that when the tray 30 compresses thefirst compressible spring 44 or when moved by compressive force of thefirst compressible spring 44. That is, the guide 40 may cause variationin the moving speed of the tray 30.

FIG. 7 is a view showing a guide according to another embodiment. Adescription with reference to FIG. 7 will follow.

A guide 40′ according to this embodiment may include a torsion spring48, which may be compressively deformable via rotation. That is, thetorsion spring 48 may exhibit different deformation and compressionbased on a rotated position thereof.

According to this embodiment, the guide 40′ may include a guide arm 50coupled to one side of the torsion spring 48 to transmit torque of thetorsion spring 48 to the tray 30. The guide arm 50 may be provided at anupper surface thereof with a coupling piece 52′ configured to beinserted into a recess (51, see FIGS. 8 and 9) of the tray 30. Thecoupling piece 52′ may take the form of a pole that protrudessubstantially perpendicular to the guide arm 50.

A guide groove 20 may be formed in the storage chamber 18, and the guidearm 50 may have a guide protrusion 54 configured to be guided along theguide groove 20. In this case, the guide groove 20 may be formed in abottom surface of the storage chamber 18.

The guide arm 50 may be rotated by the torsion spring 48. By convertingrotation of the guide arm 50 into linear movement of the tray 30 in awithdrawal direction from the storage chamber 18, it will be appreciatedthat a linear moving speed of the tray 30 may vary based on a rotationangle of the guide arm 50. That is, owing to rotation of the guide arm50, the tray 30 coupled to the guide arm 50 may substantially implementvariable speed movement.

The guide protrusion 54 may be moved only along the guide groove 20, andtherefore the guide groove 20 may define a movement trajectory of theguide arm 50. This may ensure stable rotation of the guide arm 50.

In addition, the guide groove 20 may have a gradient such that frictionbetween the guide groove 20 and the guide protrusion 54 may vary basedon a position of the guide protrusion 54. That is, a relatively shallowregion of the guide groove 20 may apply a greater upward support forceto the guide protrusion 54, whereas a relatively deep region of theguide groove 20 may apply a lesser upward support force to the guideprotrusion 54. Accordingly, friction applied to the guide arm 50 mayvary based on a position of the guide protrusion 54 in the guide groove20.

Through the above described variation in friction between the guideprotrusion 54 and the guide groove 20, the guide arm 50 may havedifferent rates of rotation based on a position of the guide protrusion54. Consequently, a linear moving speed of the tray 30 may vary based ona position of the guide protrusion 54.

Meanwhile, a stopper 42′ may be provided at both ends of the guidegroove 20 to restrict movement of the guide protrusion 54. That is, theguide protrusion 54 may stop movement in a given direction when cominginto contact with the stoppers 42′, and then may be moved in an oppositedirection.

FIG. 8 is a view showing a state in which the tray of FIG. 7 iswithdrawn from the storage chamber, and FIG. 9 is a view showing a statein which the tray of FIG. 8 is introduced into the storage chamber. Adescription with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9 will follow. FIGS. 8 and 9show a region opposite to an installed region of the sub door 100, thatis, a region at a rear side of the storage chamber 18.

The coupling piece 52′ may be movably inserted into the recess 51. Inthis case, the recess 51 may be formed to extend substantially parallelto a width direction of the storage chamber 18 to change rotation of thecoupling piece 52′ into linear movement of the tray 30. That is,withdrawal or introduction of the tray 30 may occur via rotation of theguide arm 50.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the torsion spring 48 is minimallycompressed or not compressed, and FIG. 9 shows a state in which thetorsion spring 48 is maximally compressed. As exemplarily shown in FIG.2, according to embodiments, no connection structure, such as a linkage,is present between the sub door 100 and the tray 30. Thus, when the userrotates the sub door 100 to open the opening 13, the tray 30 may bemoved from the state as exemplarily shown in FIG. 9 to the state asexemplarily shown in FIG. 8. On the other hand, if the user rotates thesub door 100 to close the opening 13, the sub door 100 may push the tray30, causing the tray 30 to be moved inward of the storage chamber 18from the state as exemplarily shown in FIG. 8 to the state asexemplarily shown in FIG. 9.

In particular, as the guide arm 50 compresses the torsion spring 48 viarotation thereof, a forward or reverse moving speed of the tray 30 mayvary. In addition, as friction between the guide protrusion 54 and theguide groove 20 may vary, a moving speed of the tray 30 may varyaccording to a position of the tray 30.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view taken along line X-X of FIG. 1. Adescription with reference to FIG. 10 will follow.

The refrigerator according to embodiments may further include a subhinge 70 configured to pivotally rotatably connect the sub door 100 andthe door 12 a. In this case, two sub hinges 70 may be arrangedrespectively at upper and lower ends of the sub door 100.

The door 12 a may include an accommodation region 90 indented therein,the accommodation region 90 having a size suitable for installation ofthe sub hinge 70. The accommodation region 90 may be formed per the subhinge 70 in a one to one ratio. Thus, when two sub hinges 70 areprovided, two accommodation regions 90 may be formed. In particular, theaccommodation region 90 may define a movement trajectory of the subhinge 70. When the user rotates the sub door 100, a portion of the subhinge 70 must be moved by a prescribed or predetermined angle within theaccommodation region 90. This may serve to prevent the sub hinge 70 frominterfering with the door 12 a within the accommodation region 90.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10, first, second, and third steps 12 b, 12 c,and 12 d may be provided at the opening 13. The sub door 100 may includea plurality of corresponding steps 100 a, 100 b, and 100 c.

The sub hinge 70 may include a hinge shaft 72 coupled to the main door12 a, a coupling portion 74 coupled to the sub door 100, and aconnection portion 76 that connects the hinge shaft 72 and the couplingportion 74 to each other. The sub hinge 70 may be rotated about thehinge shaft 72. The connection portion 76 may be bent at a plurality ofpositions thereof.

The sub door 100 may be installed such that a same gap g is definedbetween the sub door 100 and both ends of the opening 13. Due to theshape of the sub hinge 70, that is, the bent shape of the connectionportion 76, the sub door 100 may have less interference with one end ofthe opening 13 during pivotal rotation thereof. Accordingly, due to theabove described shape of the sub hinge 70, the sub door 100 may becentrally positioned in the opening 13, such that the same gap g isdefined between both ends of the sub door 100 and both ends of theopening 13.

The user may recognize the sub door 100 as being centrally positioned inthe opening 13 due to the same gap g between the sub door 100 and bothends of the opening 13. This may advantageously provide the refrigeratorwith a more aesthetically pleasing outer appearance.

In addition, providing the same gap g at both sides may ensuresymmetrical arrangement of sealants 96 used to prevent leakage of coldair from the gap g between the sub door 100 and the opening 13, whichmay provide manufacturing convenience. The sealants 96 may be rubbergaskets.

The hinge shaft 72 may be coupled to a limiter 80 and be installed inthe accommodation region 90. The limiter 80 may function to limit arotation angle of the sub hinge 70.

The accommodation region 90 and the sub hinge 70 may be arranged at theoutside of a space which is sealed by the sealant 96, that is, arrangedin a space at the outside of the storage chamber 18. In a state in whichthe sub door 100 closes the opening 13, the sealant 96 may preventleakage of cold air between the sub door 100 and the opening 13.Accordingly, cold air of the storage chamber 18 may not reach thereceptacle 90 and the sub hinge 70, and therefore insulation to preventleakage of cold air may not be considered or needed upon design of theaccommodation region 90 and the sub hinge 70. Further, as shown in FIG.10, when the sub door 100 is closed, a front surface of the sub door 100may be positioned on an extension line of a front surface of the maindoor 12 a. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 10, a tangential line at anedge of the front surface of the main door 12 a may be identical to atangential line at an edge of the front surface of the sub door 100.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the limiter according to an embodiment,and FIG. 12 is a view showing movement of the limiter of FIG. 11. Adescription with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12 will follow.

The limiter 80 may be fitted into the accommodation region 90. Thelimiter 80 may have a hinge hole 82 into which the hinge shaft 72 may berotatably inserted. The hinge hole 82 may be shaped to allow thecylindrical hinge shaft 72 to be rotatably inserted thereinto.

The limiter 80 may have a contact surface 84 configured to come intocontact with the connection portion 76 so as to limit movement of theconnection portion 76. In this case, the contact surface 84 may be aflat surface, and the connection portion 76, that is, the sub hinge 70may be rotated no longer or further about the hinge shaft 72, thusstopping rotation when the connection portion 76 comes into contact withthe contact surface 84.

That is, the contact surface 84 may serve to limit a maximum openingrotation angle of the sub door 100. Thus, even if the user tries torotate the sub door 100 by a greater angle in a state in which theconnection portion 76 comes into contact with the contact surface 84,the sub door 100 may be rotated no longer or further.

Although the limiter 80 limits the maximum rotation angle when the subdoor 100 opens the opening 13, it is unnecessary to limit the maximumrotation angle when the sub door 100 closes the opening 13. This isbecause the sub door 100 comes into contact with one end of the opening13, and thus, cannot be rotated toward the storage chamber 18 when thesub door 100 closes the opening 13.

FIG. 13 is a view showing a state in which the sub door of FIG. 10 isopen. A description with reference to FIG. 13 will follow.

In an open state of the sub door 100, no external force is applied tothe guide 40 (40′), and thus, the guide 40 (40′) is returned to anoriginal form or state thereof without influence of compression. In sucha non-compressed state of the guide 40 (40′), the tray 30 may bewithdrawn from the storage chamber 18 by a predetermined distance.

As described above, a movement trajectory of the tray 30 may be limitedby the stopper 42 (42′). Accordingly, the withdrawal distance of thetray 30 may be determined based on a position of the stopper 42 (42′).

A rotation angle of the sub door 100 may be limited by the limiter 80,rather than the stopper 42 (42′). That is, when the sub door 100 ismaximally rotated to open the opening 13, the sub door 100 does not comeinto contact with the tray 30. On the other hand, when the sub door 100closes the opening 13 as exemplarily shown in FIG. 10, the sub door 100comes into contact with the tray 30.

The tray 30 may include a contact portion 34 that comes into contactwith the sub door 100. The contact portion 34 may be formed at a cornerof the tray 30 and may be inclined by a prescribed or predeterminedangle. When the contact portion 34 comes into contact with the sub door100, the sub door 100 may guide movement of the tray 30.

The guide 40 may continuously apply a force required to withdraw thetray 30 from the storage chamber 18. Due to this force applied to thetray 30, the contact portion 34 may come into contact with the sub door100 when the sub door 100 is rotated by a predetermined angle to openthe opening 13.

According to embodiments disclosed herein, there is no mechanicalconnection structure, such as a linkage, between the sub door 100 andthe tray 30. Accordingly, when the user begins to open the sub door 100in a state in which the sub door 100 closes the opening 13, the contactportion 34 of the tray 30 comes into contact with the sub door 100,thereby causing the tray 30 to be withdrawn from the storage chamber 18.This is because the guide 40 (40′) reserves compressive force in a statein which the sub door 100 closes the opening 13, and thus, may bedeformed by a restoration force when an external force applied to thetray 30, that is, external force applied to the guide 40 varies. Thatis, as the sub door 100 is rotated to open the opening 13 by a greaterdegree, the restoration force of the guide 40 (40′) may vary, therebyproviding the tray 30 with a force required to rotate the sub door 100.

The contact portion 34 may come into contact with the sub door 100 untilthe tray 30 is moved by a predetermined distance required for maximumwithdrawal thereof. Then, when the tray 30 is withdrawn by thepredetermined distance, that is, is maximally withdrawn, movement of thetray 30 may stop, but the sub door 100 may be continuously rotated. Thatis, when the tray 30 is withdrawn by the predetermined distance, contactbetween the sub door 100 and the tray 30 may be released. That is, asthe contact portion 34 no longer comes into contact with the sub door100, the tray 30 may stop.

FIG. 14 is a view showing the tray according to embodiments. Adescription with reference to FIG. 14 will follow.

The tray 30 may have a length L and a width W. According to embodimentsdisclosed herein, the tray 30 is not connected, that is, linked to thesub door 100, and vertical movement of the tray 30 may be restricted bythe first guide rail 22 and the second guide rail 32.

Accordingly, there is no risk of the tray 30 tilting when the tray 30 isexcessively withdrawn from the storage chamber 18, which may preventspillage of items stored in the basket 120. That is, according toembodiments disclosed herein, the maximum withdrawal distance of thetray 30 may be set to approximately 0.6 times the length L of the tray30, which may prevent problems due to excessive withdrawal of the tray30.

FIG. 15 is a view showing a front side of a main door in a state inwhich a sub door is open according to a further embodiment. Adescription with reference to FIG. 15 will follow.

According to this embodiment, a link 6 may be provided to connect thetray 30 and the sub door 100 to each other. In particular, according tothis embodiment, the above described guide 40 (40′) may be omitted. Ofcourse, any one of the above described guides according to thepreviously described embodiments may be employed in this embodiment.

When the user rotates the sub door 100, the link 6 may be movedaccording to movement of the sub door 100, thereby causing the tray 30to be moved forward toward the user by a predetermined distance. Thatis, the tray 30 is not moved forward with respect to the opening 13 in aclosed state of the sub door 100, but may be moved forward with respectto the opening 13 in an open state of the sub door 100.

Accordingly, when the user opens the sub door 100, the tray 30 and thebasket 120 may be moved even if the user does not retrieve the basket120, which may provide user convenience.

As exemplarily shown in FIG. 15, a hook 7 and a latch 8 may be providedto fix the sub door 100 in a closed state thereof when the user closesthe sub door 100. The hook 7 may be installed to an inner surface of thesub door 100 to protrude from the sub door 100. The latch 8 may take theform of a recess formed in the door 12 a at a position corresponding tothe hook 7, such that the hook 7 may be inserted into the latch 8. Whenthe user pushes an outer surface of the sub door 100 at a positioncorresponding to the hook 7 and the latch 8, the hook 7 may be releasedfrom the latch 8 and the sub door 100 opened.

According to this embodiment, through this user behavior to open the subdoor 100, the tray 30 and the basket 120 may be withdrawn forwardwithout requiring additional user behavior to withdraw the tray 30 andthe basket 120.

Embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a refrigerator thatsubstantially obviates one or more problems due to limitation anddisadvantages of the related art.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a refrigerator which may allow auser to conveniently use a tray accommodated in a main door.

Embodiments disclosed herein provide a refrigerator that may include amain body having a storage compartment in which food or other items maybe stored, a main door configured to open or close the storagecompartment, the main door having a storage chamber separate from thestorage compartment, a sub door configured to open or close an openingof the storage chamber, a tray configured to be introduced into orwithdrawn from the storage chamber, a guide unit or guide configured toguide movement of the tray by being compressed when the tray isintroduced into the storage chamber and released from compression whenthe tray is withdrawn from the storage chamber, and a basket placed onthe tray, the basket having a storage space therein. The guide unit maycause variation in a moving speed of the tray when the tray isintroduced or withdrawn.

The tray may include a contact portion configured to come into contactwith the sub door. The sub door may guide movement of the tray when thecontact portion comes into contact with the sub door.

The guide unit may include a first compressible spring and a secondcompressible spring, and the first compressible spring may be longerthan the second compressible spring. The first compressible spring andthe second compressible spring may have different rigidities. The firstcompressible spring may have a less number of turns than that of thesecond compressible spring on the basis of the same length.

The guide unit may include a torsion spring configured to be compressedvia rotation. The guide unit may further include a guide arm coupled toone side of the torsion spring to transmit torque of the torsion springto the tray.

The storage chamber may have a guide groove, and the guide arm mayinclude a guide protrusion configured to be guided along the guidegroove. The guide groove may have a gradient such that friction betweenthe guide groove and the guide protrusion varies based on a position ofthe guide protrusion.

The storage chamber may include a first guide rail, and the tray mayinclude a second guide rail, movement of which may be guided by thefirst guide rail.

The tray may be configured to be withdrawn from the storage chamber by apredetermined distance, and the predetermined distance may beapproximately 0.6 times a length of the tray. Contact between the subdoor and the tray may be released when the tray is withdrawn by thepredetermined distance.

Embodiments disclosed herein further provide a refrigerator that mayinclude a main body having a storage compartment in which food or otheritems may be stored, a main door configured to open or close the storagecompartment, the main door having a storage chamber separate from thestorage compartment, a sub door configured to open or close an openingof the storage chamber, and a sub hinge configured to pivotallyrotatably connect the sub door to the main door. The sub hinge mayinclude a hinge shaft coupled to the main door, a coupling portioncoupled to the sub door, and a connection portion that connects thehinge shaft and the coupling portion to each other. The connectionportion may be bent at a plurality of positions thereof.

The refrigerator may further include a limiter configured to limit arotation angle of the sub door. The limiter may include a contactsurface configured to come into contact with the connection portion soas to limit movement of the connection portion. The contact surface maylimit a maximum opening rotation angle of the sub door.

The main door may include an accommodation region indented therein toprovide a movement trajectory of the sub hinge. The refrigerator mayfurther include a sealant configured to seal a gap between the storagechamber and the sub door, and the accommodation region may be located atthe outside of a space sealed by the sealant. The refrigerator mayfurther include a sealant configured to seal a gap between the storagechamber and the sub door, and the sub hinge may be located at theoutside of a space sealed by the sealant.

It will be apparent that, although embodiments have been shown anddescribed above, embodiments are not limited to the above-describedspecific embodiments, and various modifications and variations can bemade by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of theappended claims. Thus, it is intended that the modifications andvariations should not be understood independently of the technical spritor prospect.

Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particularfeature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with theembodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. Theappearances of such phrases in various places in the specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when aparticular feature, structure, or characteristic is described inconnection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within thepurview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, orcharacteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number ofillustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerousother modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled inthe art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles ofthis disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modificationsare possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subjectcombination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawingsand the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications inthe component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also beapparent to those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is:
 1. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body having afirst storage compartment; a main door to open or close the firststorage compartment, the main door having an opening, a first step and asecond step provided on a first edge of the opening, and a third stepprovided on a second edge of the opening; a sub door to open and closethe opening of the main door, the sub door having a plurality of stepsprovided at both side of the sub door, respectively; a sealant mountedon at least one of the first, second, and third steps of the main dooror one of the plurality of steps of the sub door; a shaft receivingmember mounted on the third step of the main door; and a sub hinge thatconnects the sub door to the main door, wherein the sub hinge includes:a hinge shaft pivotally coupled to the shaft receiving member; acoupling portion mounted to a lateral side portion of one of theplurality of steps of the sub door, wherein the lateral side portionfaces the hinge shaft; and a connection portion that connects the hingeshaft and the coupling portion to each other, wherein the connectionportion has a bent portion, wherein when the sub door is closed, a frontsurface of the sub door is positioned on an extension line of a frontsurface of the main door, and wherein a number of steps of the pluralityof steps provided on one side of the sub door is different from a numberof steps of the plurality of steps provided on an opposite side of thesub door.
 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the shaftreceiving member includes a limiter to limit a rotational angle of thesub door.
 3. The refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein the limiterincludes a contact surface configured to come into contact with theconnection portion so as to limit movement of the connection portion. 4.The refrigerator according to claim 3, wherein the contact surfacelimits a maximum opening rotational angle of the sub door.
 5. Therefrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the main door includes anaccommodation region indented therein to provide a movement trajectoryof the sub hinge.
 6. The refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein thesealant is configured to seal a gap between the main door and the subdoor, wherein the accommodation region is located at an outside of aspace sealed by the sealant.
 7. The refrigerator according to claim 5,wherein the sealant is configured to seal a gap between the main doorand the sub door, and wherein the sub hinge is located at an outside ofa space sealed by the sealant.
 8. The refrigerant according to claim 1,wherein the sealant is installed on the second step.
 9. The refrigeratoraccording to claim 8, wherein the sealant is installed on a frontsurface of the second step.
 10. The refrigerator according to claim 1,wherein the first step is in front of the second step.
 11. Therefrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the second step is closer tothe third step than the first step.
 12. The refrigerator according toclaim 1, wherein a tangential line at an edge of the front surface ofthe main door is identical to a tangential line at an edge of the frontsurface of the sub door.
 13. The refrigerator according to claim 12,wherein a gap is provided between the edge of the front surface of themain door and the edge of the front surface of the sub door.
 14. Therefrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of steps of thesub door includes a fourth step and a fifth step opposite to the firstand second steps, respectively, and a sixth step opposite to the thirdstep.
 15. A refrigerator, comprising: a main body having a first storagecompartment; a main door to open and close the first storagecompartment, the main door having an opening, a first step and a secondstep provided on a first edge of the opening, and a third step providedon a second edge of the opening; a sub door to open and close theopening of the main door, the sub door having a plurality of stepsprovided at both sides of the sub door, respectively; a sealant mountedon at least one of the first, second, and third steps of the main dooror one of the plurality of steps of the sub door; a shaft receivingmember mounted on the third step of the main door; and a sub hinge thatconnects the sub door to the main door, wherein the sub hinge includes:a hinge shaft pivotally coupled to the shaft receiving member; acoupling portion mounted to a lateral side portion of one of theplurality of steps of the sub door, wherein the lateral side portionfaces the hinge shaft; and a connection portion that connects the hingeshaft and the coupling portion to each other, wherein the connectionportion has a bent portion, wherein when the sub door is closed, a frontsurface of the sub door is positioned on an extension line of a frontsurface of the main door, and wherein more steps of the plurality ofsteps are provided on a side of the sub door which is farther away fromthe hinge shaft than a side of the sub door adjacent to the hinge shaft.16. The refrigerator according to claim 1, further including: a trayconfigured to be introduced or withdrawn through the opening of the maindoor.
 17. The refrigerator according to claim 15, further including: abasket configured to be placed on the tray, the basket having a storagespace therein.
 18. The refrigerator according to claim 15, wherein themain door includes a first guide rail, and wherein the tray includes asecond guide rail, movement of which is guided by the first guide rail.